Travel vicariously with us ! Here's our photo album
of recent travels!

Airplane
travel is nature's way of making you look like your passport photo

(Al Gore)

LATEST TRAVELS TO BE POSTED:

Northern
Virginia, and Washington D.C. (April 2010)

Franklin
Gem Show (May 2010)

Rhode
Island and Vermont, East Coast trip (June 2010)

Tucson
AZ and San Antonio TX (Feb 2011)

3400
mile trip from South Carolina to Chicago to pick up two WOOLLY MAMMOTH
TUSKS, down to St. Louis, southern Illinois, Tennessee, then 5 days of
volunteer teaching at the Wehle Nature Center in Alabama, over to Florida
to buy shark jaws, then home. Here's Glenn and Heidi with the
biggest tusk, 8' 9" long, 16.5" circumference, 59.5 pounds
(Sept-Oct 2011)

Bought
out an estate of an old friend with a similar business in Florida, it took
a 26' moving truck to bring it all home. We are sorting through
thousands of items: Teak animal wall & desk display pieces,
Bronze statues and desk displays, 4700 more shark jaws, pre-ban elephant
ivory tusks and pieces for carving, hundreds of megalodon shark teeth, 100
pounds of small modern shark teeth and SO much more. Stay tuned!
(Oct. 27-Nov. 1)

SANTA
VISITED THE

CULVER'S CUSTARD STAND IN NEENAH, WISCONSIN

What a surprise! A visit from Santa
Claus himself to the Culver's Custard Stand in Neenah, Wisconsin. A
small girl was entranced! We caught a few photos of both of them

This
is how Glenn spent his 65th birthday, picking up this 10 foot Alligator
from Florida (more detail on Gators page 4).

Happy birthday Glenn!

FEBRUARY
2011

TUCSON, Arizona

and SAN ANTONIO, Texas

Watch
for great photos of the stuff we SAW and BOUGHT while at the Biggest Gem
& Fossil Show in the World this year

(This is Glenn standing next to a huge
Amethyst geode Cathedral pair, this went to a collector in Alaska)

MAY
2010

CHARLESTON
Convention Center, Mayday festivities

May 1

We
went down to go to a Gem Source that was set up at a Rock & Fossil
show at the Convention Center. To our delight, we found the entire
Convention Center was alive with activities - from the Rock Show to Arts
& Crafts to Ethnic Dances from around the world, to a Food Court of
tents outside, to displays of Art from young students, and from
professionals. What a treat!

Then we entered the
Theater, where there was African Tribal dancing on the stage. The
lively dancing, and colorful costumes, and the enthusiasm of the artists
was very uplifting. Neither of us realized how much we needed a dose
of culture, and came away from the experience with our Sense of Wonder
restored.

BLESSING
of the FLEET

May 1 (May day)

McLellanville, SC

Halfway
back from Charleston to Myrtle Beach that same day, the town of
McLellanville had a sign on Hwy 17 for the "Blessing of the
Fleet" for May Day. In all the years Glenn has lived at the
beach, he had never witnessed this event. So, we turned in, parked
and had yet another uplifting experience, along with GREAT seafood.
FROGMORE STEW (1st photo) made of corn, shrimp, potatoes, onions, smoked
sausage)

Also,
get & watch the DVD "A Man Named Pearl", it is a great way
to see this unique artist in action. The beauty of his work is that
he does not put wire to shape the trees. These are shaped just by
his loving hands and tree cutting tools. And his gardens are a Labor
of Love, signs sprinkled throughout the gardens gently encourage positive
spiritual thoughts.

Bishopville
city limits sign

The
tour starts at the Waffle House on the main road, which Pearl dressed up
with his skills.

Then
the entrance to his road is also decorated with topiaries

These
are the Neighbors' houses. They have asked Pearl's advice on shaping
their own yards, with great effect.

PEARL
FRYAR'S HOUSE & GARDEN

He did not come out while we were there.
Though we are so grateful that he allows the public to walk through his
residential gardens any time of day.

The
right side of Pearl Fryar's yard, a hint of what is to come

A
wonderful grouping in the right front yard

Pearl's
mailbox and fountain

Front
of the house

Glenn
entering the magical world of Pearl Fryar

Open
weave bushes

Flowering
tree

A
work in progress

"Turtle"
bushes

Donation
box

Left
side of house

The
"bottle" tree

Shells

One
of my favorite areas, the "triangle" on right side of house;
perspective with Glenn next to it

North
arrow tree, I believe it's a fountain beneath

Mad
Hatter's Island

More
wonderfully sculpted shrubs, and close ups

Tall
sculpted tree

A
spaceship, and a puffin. Use your imagination!

Statue
in the center

Another
Oasis of Serenity

Birdhouse,
and footsteps to it

The
bucket fountain

The
"Mushroom" Garden

A
longer view of one of the "Courtyards"

"A
man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life
when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never
sit."

-D. Elton Trueblood

Loving
turtles archway

Another
statuary and graceful ironwork

Nice
stair-stepping of the bush sizes, with a real curlicue tree at the back

A
security light never looked so good

Front
yard, nice to see Pearl's always busy with more topiary creations.

Close
by the left side of the house was simply amazing

Twirling
up to the sky

A
living sculpture

Back
of the house, an archway to their patio

Long
view of the left side of the house

An
elephant shrub!

A
very tall arched tree

Close
up of the sculpted bushes on the left side of the house

A
long view of the side gardens

A
roller coaster of a tree

"Hate
Hurts" metal sculpture

Formal,
perfect spheres

More
Arrow trees

"Love,
Peace & Goodwill", the words sculpted into the lawn are so large
they are best seen from the air

"Faith"
metal sculpture, with a John Deere sign in front

A
giant Sailing Ship

Each
tree looks different from every angle

A
brontosaurus?

A
basket looking shrub

More
work in progress

Snail

In
the back yard, you see one of his trailers, and a rolling ladder.
Both have been used many hours by Pearl, I would guess.

A
cherry picker would get up in those trees for the kind of work he
does. Good choice

I
can imagine an amusement park ride fashioned after this

A
larger view of the back yard area

A
wonderfully graceful line of trees in the back yard

Coming
back up the left side of the house

Fantastical
creature

Peace
Sculpture

St.
Francis and the birds sculpture

A
mill, waterwheel fountain, birdbath

Scroll
ironwork sculpture

Heading
back down the driveway, we are still amazed at the precision of his work
with nature

An
alien cheerleader!

A
teapot?

Pearl
lovingly sculpted his address in his front yard, only to have the city
change the numbering on the street, making his house number
"145". He has left the numbers in place anyway.

A
late afternoon view of the left side of the yard. We are sad to go.

Wonderful
twirly cone trees near the road

A
path from the front to back of the house, on the left

Arches
stretching over thin air

Peekaboo!

Heidi

An
ongoing sense of wonder we feel at this harmonious, peaceful place

Iron sculpture

"The best time to plant a tree was 20
years ago. The next best time is now."

Chinese Proverb

This
is a constantly changing garden. Pearl and Friends of Pearl add
sculptures and continue to shape the trees and shrubs. So a visit
each year will be new every time. We encourage everyone to walk
these gardens and feel the Peace that knows no bounds, from the hands of
Pearl Fryar and God's creations.

JANUARY
2010

Tunica,
Mississippi

TUNICA
RIVERPARK MUSEUM & AQUARIUM, and

MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM, and Cruises

"I do not know that much about gods, but
I think that the river is a strong brown god - sullen, untamed and
intractable" - T. S. Eliot

A real gem of a find, this exciting
architectural design & complex, right on the banks of the Mississippi
River, funded by the local casino industry, is a state of the art
depiction of the history & life on the Mississippi River. We
were very impressed with the educational aspects of museum, and even the
gift shop. And the museum docents were very friendly and
helpful. We recommend this tour, if you are anywhere near northern
Mississippi or the Memphis TN area. There is also an eco-trail to
walk through 2 miles of wetlands forest on walkways.

Following is a virtual tour of some of the
areas of the museum we appreciated the most.

Outside
of the museum, where you can appreciate the unusual architecture

Treasures of the Great River Road sign in the
Museum lot

Channel
Catfish (albino)

Alligator
gar

Red
eared Slider turtle

Alligator
snapping turtle

Petting the blackbear (okay so it's
taxidermied, SAFE!)

Arrow
Extractor replica - This tool was devised in Europe to remove metal
arrows. The grooved middle blade was inserted along the embedded
shaft of the arrow. The outer tongs were then opened to spread the
flesh so that the arrow could be extracted without tearing the wound
further. Gruesome but effective.

"City"
Class Ironclads

When the Civil War began, the South built a
series of forts to defend the lower Mississippi. The North responded
by building ironclads to destroy these forts. The government turned
to James Eads to produce seven "city" class vessels. The
boats were 175 feet long. More details below:

Eads protected the boilers of the Ironclads by
putting them below the waterline and shielded the paddlewheel as
well. They had 2" thick iron plates laid over thick oak
sides. More details below!

Here's a piece of one of the Ironclads:

West
of New Orleans, moss-draped cypresses rise from the Atchafalaya Basin
swamp. Photograph by Sam Abell

The park & cruise ship marina below looks
so unreal, and beautiful. But it is real, and well designed:

TUNICA
MUSEUM

A
progressive view of (1) Glenn in front of a standing black bear, (2)
realization of what's behind him, and (3) horror, what do I do now
(kidding)

Scary
Lynx taxidermy. Hilarious, actually.

Helmeted
Glenn, what a fun goof.

Another
hilarious bear, this time in the gift shop

Sugar
Ditch story brings national attention to Tunica. Our chef
advised us to read this article carefully. In 1985, Jesse Jackson
visited Tunica County's "Sugar Ditch", where residents lived in
poverty, the "poorest county in the U.S." The documentary
startled the nation. Many changes were made, cementing the ditch and
building a 48 unit housing complex. So their greatest shame turned
into a work of pride.

Downtown
Tunica, we were dismayed to see the American flag below the Confederate
Flag.

CAFE
MARIE, downtown Tunica

What a gem of a restaurant, serving
Mississippi grown catfish from local farm ponds. Historic brick
building (1913), they hope to have a hotel restored on the 2nd floor.

Friendly
Chef Eddie MacGregor spoke with us about his ongoing plans for the
restaurant and hotel

Glenn devouring his catfish lunch, it tasted
more like LOBSTER

Farm
catfish ponds, as seen from the airplane heading out of Mississippi, where
Chef Eddie gets his great catfish. None like it.

January
2010 (continued)

MEMPHIS, Tennessee

National
Ornamental Metal Museum

Never let it be said that we ferret out the
ordinary. Instead of the Jazz & Rock N Roll Museums in the area,
we searched out this quiet spot with a killer back view over the
Mississippi River, and didn't regret a minute of our choice. No
photography allowed within the museum, but okay anywhere else. It is
the only institution in the U.S. devoted exclusively to the preservation
and promotion of final metalwork.

There is also an "All Metal Library" containing many rare
and first-edition books, some dating from the 17th century. More
than 2000 volumes and 10,000 slides. Open by appointment to
scholars, artists, students & architects.

SIDE
& BACK YARD of Museum

Remember, everything you see is made of metal

Huge
metal flower outside

Owl
on a fence

Glenn
is looking at a long display with a metal human skull

Dead
(metal) Chicken in a cage

Oxidized
copper gate of a cornfield

(real)
Holly bush, just a pretty accent in the garden

Fish
weathervane above the Riverbluff Pavilion

Riverbluff
Pavilion

Made from salvaged iron from a historic Beale
St. mid-1800's building.

Shark!

Iron
pillar, gator below, with a copper head peeking from the top

Comical
chicken

Beautiful
heron

A
working bell

Running
bunny

Flying
saucer

Venus
flytrap

A
tall pod plant

Ornamental front to the Schering-Plough Smith
(Blacksmith Workshop) in back yard of the main museum. Here in the
sound of metal on metal and the fever of the fiery forges, you can witness
the violent origins of graceful works of art. Working metalsmiths
demonstrate how it's done and answer questions.

Above - gecko lizard on the brick wall.

Also on the grounds is a private
state-of-the-art conservation and restoration laboratory named Chestnuts
Inc. (no photos of this). These metalsmiths were responsible for
works such as restoring the gates for Elvis' Graceland, reproducing an
Etruscan suit of armor (on view at the Vatican Museum in Rome), even
devising a crown for a goat in Ireland.

10TH
ANNIVERSARY GATES

Designed by Englishman Richard Quinnell,
classic scroll pattern, studded with scores of rosettes crafted by more
than 180 metalsmiths from 18 nations. My personal opinion? We
spent more time photographing this gate than anything else on the
property, it was so impressive. No two rosettes are alike.

"NOMMA, 1958-2008"

Cowboy
hat

Dragon
& donkey? in heart

Hammer
& anvil

Face

Wolf
head

Hand
holding cup of tea, and Acorns

Devil

Flower

Flower

Globe
of the earth

Cactus
& snake, star

Flower

Square
flower

Bear
head

Rose

Hand
holding saucer

Face
with hands

Face,
blowing with puffed cheeks

Face,
blowing with puffed cheeks, sideways

Snail

Monkey
face, perhaps

Hedgehog

Hammer
& tongs, sorry it's not clearer

Flower

Snake
on flower

Dragonfly

Butterfly

Viking
ship

Octopus
arm flower

Man-snail

Fedex,
plane propeller

Flower
with glass doorknob center

Here's
the view from the Riverbluff Pavilion in the back yard of the Metal
Museum, overlooking the Mississippi River. What an awesome sight.

5
barges of coal being moved on the Mississippi River, near a major
bridge. Heidi is warm in her mink sweater coat (from Alaska), a
perfect frame for the Polish amber lily necklace she is wearing.

NATIONAL
ARMORY

Next door to the Museum was a huge,
empty Armory building that commanded our attention.

BURL
on Tree

Across from the Museum and Armory is
a huge park. One large tree had burl formations on it that looked
like animals.

A
bear carrying something? With a dog head on the bottom? Use
your imagination.

Definitely
the side of a pig's face

BRIDGE
to Memphis, Pyramid Arena

Can't explain it, we love the
graceful aspects of bridges. The Pyramid was a bonus.

Beale
Street

Downtown Memphis, famous
worldwide. Horse-drawn carriages, the famous B.B. King Jazz Bar, and
all the barbecue you can eat.

Some of their trophies for their barbecue,
voted Top Ribs in Memphis. We remember them from seeing the BBQ
Pitmasters cookoff on TLC (NBBQA).

Other
sights & sounds of Memphis

Gus's
World Famous Fried Chicken

Though we had just eaten at the Pig on Beale,
we couldn't resist this, and we weren't disappointed. Chicken fried
only when you order, hot and fresh, mmmmm!

Not
sure I want to know where this sign leads!

OCTOBER
2009

GEORGIA AQUARIUM, and sites of ATLANTA

Heidi's 55th birthday, no less

A
visit to the Aquarium wouldn't be complete without first visiting The
Varsity restaurant. First the parking lot on the roof with a view of
the Flame part of the sign

then the restaurant itself

J.
R. Crickets Restaurant has a cute Cricket Man atop its sign

Law
offices of Peter Law has an Atlas statue of hammered aluminum, holding the
sign.

Looking
like a postcard, the school of Jacks swimming past the viewing area

Spotted
Groupers

Cownose
ray (Rhinoptera bonasus), named for its distinctive head shape, this ray
glides over the ocean bottom in search of shellfish. It crushes the
shells with its strong tooth plates to get at the soft meat inside.
Max size: 7 feet. Near threatened

Sawfish

Weedy
Seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), one of nature's most incredible
creatures found in Australian waters. My opinion! They
camoflage so perfectly into the seaweed.

Spider
crab, huge creatures that always draw a big crowd

Garden
eels, they rarely leave their burrows. They sway with the current,
and may look straight at you. How entertaining a critter is this!

I
can never resist the jellyfish, they are mesmerizing, especially with the
changing colors in the tank

Even
a daisy pattern in one, how beautiful is that?

Garfish

Lionfish,
truly living art

Sea
anemone and Clownfish

Orange
spotted fish (perhaps an angelfish)

Elephant
nose fish

Bright
orange fish is a Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger)

Asian
small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea), they were so active and endlessly
cuddling with each other in their appropriately Wow habitat. They
loved the green fabric strips to play with

A
beautiful, big sand tiger shark

Shark
costumed greeter was fun!

WHALE
SHARKS

The
main attraction is always the immense whale sharks. First
photo shows TWO. What a beautiful pattern on the backs of the whale
sharks. We happened to luck out and be there at feeding time, which
made for plenty of activity in the main aquarium. Last photo shows
one of the food buckets.

Notice how large the whale shark's mouth opens
to eat the food

Example of the food for all the fish including
the sharks

A
slide show explained the delivery of 4 of the whale sharks

To
date, this is the heaviest animal payload that UPS has ever transported

Here
is the delivery truck, and acclimation slings

On
two occasions UPS transported their whale sharks from Taiwan to
Atlanta

Each
whale shark was transported in this specially designed UPS life support
container

Great
care was used i loading each 25,000 pound container onto the UPS 747

During
takeoff and landing, the animals' gills could not be out of the water

Total
transport time was over 30 hours covering 8000 miles

Thanks
to UPS they now have four whale sharks in the Ocean Voyager
Exhibit.